Trekking in Skardu

Skardu is Pakistan’s mountaineering center, the starting point for expeditions up the Baltoro Glacier to K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrums and other famous peaks. Many of Pakistan’s most spectacular treks are to the base camps of these giants.

Baltistan (Skardu) has been variously described as “little Tibet”, “the roof of the world”. Its average height above sea level is 2300m with little rainfall. On its east lies Ladakh, in the west Gilgit, in the south Indian Kashmir and in north Sinkiang. The place has a cool and bracing climate. In summer it attracts a large number
of trekkers and mountaineers from all over the world and rightly it is called mountaineers paradise. It is unique in the world from its collection of lofty peaks, including K-2 the world’s second highest and huge glaciers like Baltoro and Siachen. Despite the remoteness of the region, it appears it has been settled by numerous nationalities arriving from all points of the compass. Aryan herdsmen arrived from the north, Buddhist came via Silk Road up the Indus, adventurers from Humza made their way via Hispar glacier, and Tibetans entered the country from Ladakh via Shyok and Indus rivers.